* Senate President John Cullerton was at the Union League Club of Chicago today and talked about various stuff, including this…

Bruce Rauner says he’d use executive orders to shake up Springfield, but Cullerton said when Rauner and his team check the state statutes and constitution they’ll find there’s not a lot he could do by executive order.

“Mr. Rauner should read the Illinois Constitution as to what powers are for the governor in terms of executive orders; they’re somewhat limited. He’s probably not aware of that.”

* And Public Affairs Reporting Program Director Charlie Wheeler, while speaking on a different topic, nevertheless made an interesting point to a reporter this week…

The Illinois governor has no ability to unilaterally rewrite the statutes,” Wheeler said. The only way a governor could undo a state law was by the same way it was done in the first place: with the approval of a majority of state Senators and Representatives.

The closest an Illinois governor can get to ruling by fiat is an executive order, Wheeler said. But the Illinois Constitution only lets governors use that power to reorganize parts of state government, not to magic away laws they dislike. And even then, the legislature can overturn an order.

But that doesn’t mean governors haven’t tried.

When former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was impeached by the Illinois House in 2009, the charges against him weren’t limited to the corruption that would later send him to prison. Buried in the laundry list of Blagojevich’s misdeeds was Article 9, which accused him of “utter disregard of the doctrine of separation of powers” when he unilaterally expanded a state healthcare program that the legislature rejected.

Just in case a new governor might be thinking about pushing the envelope a little too hard, he ought to read that last paragraph a few times first.

OW… I only know this…We have seen fire Madigan…Not effective. But what about the obvious thirst for change? I think ALL incumbants have some problems. Maybe so not to be a super minority… I think Quinns problems and The Presidents are a very real liability. Executive powers has not been brought up by Rauner latley… Maybe he will have a coalition to get things done? I believe, honestly, even in Illinois, we are in unchartered waters….

Doesn’t matter what has been done in the past by lesser men- the Baron didn’t get to where he is in life by following “rules”. The constitution be damned- he will do what he wants. Sure sounds like gridlock and constant lawsuits for the citizens of Illinois if he does win…

In all my years of state service, I have heard countless times that “I want to run government like a business”. Well, while that would be GREAT (especially in procurement) there are just too many watchdog groups over government that the private sector does not have to deal with.
My concern with Rauner is he is used to buying a business if he can’t change it he sells it off. What happens when he cannot do anything he wants due to the Constitution and statutes? Does he resign and we get stuck with his running mate?

I think it is hard for private sector employees to move to Public and vice versa. They are both completely different animals.

Guesing neither Charlie or The Senate President realize how many laws are actually ignored and no one knows — unless someone on the workforces is on the verge of losing a sweet deal and squawks.
Mitt Rauner’s problem is that the workforce will become supercharged hawks, reporting all abuses and probably demanding arbitration.
This could make the workforce work — be careful what you wish for — but it will take decades to unravel.

Does anything prevent Gov. Rauner from using his campaign fund, a fund that can be constantly replenished by him, to contribute to legislators’ campaign funds to dilute Madigan’s grip? Perhaps a good reason to vote for him.

In all my years of state service, I have heard countless times that “I want to run government like a business”. Well, while that would be GREAT (especially in procurement) there are just too many watchdog groups over government that the private sector does not have to deal with…”

Ever try running a small business & dealing with the government. Harrowing to say the least.

===Does anything prevent Gov. Rauner from using his campaign fund, a fund that can be constantly replenished by him, to contribute to legislators’ campaign funds to dilute Madigan’s grip? Perhaps a good reason to vote for him.===

Hypocrisy?

“I mean, we have a legislature bought by the Governor, lock stock and barrel, and these career politicians are doing the bidding of a wealthy man, who doesn’t have the best interest of the people of Illinois at heart. There is a conflict of interest with ‘Pay to Play’ from the Executive to members of the Legislative. A “quid pro quo”, blatantly and unabashedly demonstrated by Governor Rauner.”

I think Cullerton is using this line is some desperation. I have not heard the executive power rehtoric in a while… Funny Guy… One way or another… I think that is the plan… Chip away at the grip. Fund anyone taking hard votes… I still go back MONTHS ago. Who did Madigan name after pension reform passed? The Farmer… Who was not in the lead and was not taken seriously… This is orchestrated…

My guess is that one will be about collective bargaining and the other will be about pensions.

My question about Rauner — and I’ve heard this several times with folks I’ve talked to — we know that he hates “governement union bosses” (whatever those are) and promises to “shake up Springfield” — but there’s nothing — absolutely nothing — in his campaign thus far that promises anything resembling actual hope. No initiatives, nothing specific.

It’s one of the few big campaigns recently that lacks all compassion. It’s all vitriol and threats — and it’s aimed at people that actually make the state work — the teachers and the workers. But for folks just living and working in Illinois — he stands for and promises nothing. I don’t get it. His is a campaign built on — essentially — hate. That’s strong, I realize it — but that’s all he’s done so far. Hate stuff.

What ever look what the Federal government is doing. Nobody is being held accountable for breaking or changing laws without the proper authority or within the confines of the constitution. Like I have said before we are becoming a nation of men not laws.

===Does anything prevent Gov. Rauner from using his campaign fund, a fund that can be constantly replenished by him, to contribute to legislators’ campaign funds to dilute Madigan’s grip? Perhaps a good reason to vote for him. ===

Sure he can, but when he’s incarcerated can we send this governor to Uncle Sam’s Home for Wayward Murderers and Rapists? Maybe then the corrupt politicians will start to get the hint.

Blago did not get impeached because of his unilateral action on health care or any state program. His impeachment covered a lot of subjects but was only politically possible because of his intentions/misdeeds for the Obama Senate seat. I don’t think Rauner or any other possible governor will fear impeachment for aggresively using executive power.

On this point, at least, Tom Cross will be standing shoulder to shoulder with Bruce Rauner.

If State Treasurer Tom Cross files a lawsuit to seeking to declare the duly enacted budget unconstitutional and Governor Rauners files in support of the State Treasurer, what position should the Attorney General take?

Executive Orders can be used for public relations, too. And that’s really what politics is all about. I’m sure Mr. Rauner, or his associates, know the Illinois Constitution. Shaking up Springfield may freak out some people on this blog, but to Mr. and Ms. Voter it may be a siren song they will enthusiastically hearken to.

At present, the most frequent references to impeachment appear in fundraising letters designed to maintain a Democratic majority in the US Senate. It is a moot question as long as the US Senate is led by Harry Reid.

If elected, the Baron money will flow to his legislator friends. He won’t be stupid enough to make the contribution contingent on specific action. He knows that would get him put in jail. But Solons who don’t vote his way will find they no longer are his friend. The may also find a Baron friend running in the next primary.

What may happen is that Baron money will flow to MJM’s coffers and da Speaker will allow him to mess with the public sector unions and do some agency stuff that won’t harm his members. I’d say this could set up a conflict with Cullerton, however, it seems like the prez usually caves to MJM.

Why are some saying Gov. Rauner?
Why do some imply he can use his money to help elect State Reps & Senators?
BR should receive a large amount of Dem votes in November, but, not enough to beat Quinn.
And if Lisa replaces Quinn BR can lick his wounds and start his winter vacation early.

==Executive Orders can be used for public relations, too. And that’s really what politics is all about.==

LOL. So is Rauner running because he wants personal fame that the .01 just can’t give him because he’s not an actor or athlete? Or is it because he thinks politics is a way to put in place the policy and worldview he likes? Politics is the latter, not the former.

==At present, the most frequent references to impeachment appear in fundraising letters designed to maintain a Democratic majority in the US Senate. It is a moot question as long as the US Senate is led by Harry Reid.
=

False (http://goo.gl/GyDYi4), especially in comparison to literally a few emails (http://goo.gl/gHU9c3).